Arkansas politicians defend U.S. action after Maduro's capture
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U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton speaks with host Margaret Brennan on CBS's "Face the Nation" on Sunday. Screenshot: CBS
Chair of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) said Sunday that Venezuela's new leaders must comply with U.S. demands following Nicolás Maduro's removal — or face similar consequences.
The big picture: The U.S. ouster of President Nicolás Maduro from the oil-rich nation drew global condemnation, but strong support from some of Arkansas' Republican leaders.
State of play: Cotton appeared on CBS, CNN and Fox News Sunday, praising the U.S. operation and Maduro's capture.
- He repeatedly described Maduro as an illegitimate dictator and an indicted drug trafficker.
- Cotton said the operation protects "vital American interests."
Yes, but: Cotton did not say who is now in charge of Venezuela when pressed on Trump's remark that the U.S. is "going to run it."
- He interprets it as U.S. leverage and conditions, not literal American governance, while still emphasizing heavy U.S. influence during a transition.
- Cotton acknowledged Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, and other Maduro-aligned figures may control security forces, but said he doesn't recognize them as legitimate.
What he's saying: "When the president said the United States is going to be running Venezuela, it means that the new leaders of Venezuela need to meet our demands," Cotton told CNN's Dana Bash.
- "Our demands are … we want them to stop the drug trafficking. We want them to stop the weapons trafficking. We want them to expel the Cubans and the Iranians and the Islamic radicals, and we want them to return to the civilized world and be a good neighbor that contributes to stability, order and prosperity in our own backyard."
What others are saying: "I commend our military, law enforcement, and President Trump for the strikes in Venezuela and capture of the criminal Maduro," U.S. Rep. Steve Womack (R-Rogers) posted on X.
- "Actions in our hemisphere have a direct impact on Arkansans' daily lives and President Trump's actions today make America safer."
"Some politicians talk. President Trump acts," Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders posted to X on Saturday above a statement from Trump posted by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate Asa Hutchinson, a critic of Trump, posted: "President Trump should talk about what happens next in Venezuela. I hope DOJ has a strong case to support the indictment because under our system of laws Maduro will have his day in court ... in contrast to Maduro's regime."
What we're watching: Maduro pleaded not guilty on Monday.
- Steve Vladeck, a professor at the Georgetown University Law Center, writes in his "One First" newsletter that Maduro will likely raise a number of objections to his prosecution, such as alleging that his arrest was unlawful and that he should receive head-of-state immunity.